Engineering Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters Using Xanthate-Functionalized Hydrophilic Polymers: Toward Enhanced Monodispersity and Stability
V. G. Deepagan, Meike N. Leiske, Nicholas L. Fletcher, David Rudd, Terence Tieu, Nicholas Kirkwood, Kristofer J. Thurecht, Kristian Kempe, Nicolas H. Voelcker, Anna Cifuentes‐Rius
Abstract
= 645 nm), good quantum yield (4.3-4.8%), long fluorescence decay time (∼722-844 ns), and unprecedented product yield (>98%). The PCIE-AuNCs exhibit long-term colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and antifouling properties, enabling a prolonged blood circulation, lower nonspecific accumulation in major organs, and better renal clearance when compared with AuNCs without polymer coating. The advances made here in the synthesis of metal nanoclusters using xanthate-functionalized PCIEs could propel the production of highly monodisperse, biocompatible, and renally clearable nanoprobes in large-scale for different theranostic applications.